Hybrid active matrix thin-film transistor display

1. A field emission display comprising:

an anode comprising a matrix of pixels; and,

a cathode comprising:

an insulating layer defining a plurality of wells having a conductor therein;

a first conductive layer forming a plurality of conductive pads, each of said conductive pads corresponding to one of said wells;

a plurality of nanostructures electrically coupled to said conductive pads;

a second conductive layer formed over said insulating layer and providing a plurality of gate electrodes;

driver circuitry comprising:

first and second n-channel transistors, the first n-channel transistor having gate and drain terminals coupled to a given voltage, and a source terminal coupled to a drain terminal of the second n-channel transistor; and, the second n-channel transistor has a gate terminal for providing a column driver data signal and a source terminal coupled to another given voltage; and

a third n-channel transistor having a drain terminal coupled to the source terminal of the first n-channel transistor and the drain terminal of the second n-channel transistor and the input to the pixel circuit stage; wherein a gate terminal of the third n-channel transistor is selectively provided with a horizontal blanking signal and a source terminal of the third n-channel transistor is substantially grounded;

wherein, when a potential between said conductive pads and gate electrodes exceeds a threshold voltage, said nanostructures emit electrons that impinge said pixels.

2. The display of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second conductive layers comprise nickel.

3. The display of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second conductive layers comprise chromium.

4. The display of claim 1 , wherein said nanostructures comprise carbon nanotubes.

5. The display of claim 4 , wherein said carbon nanotubes are arranged in a regular array upon said pads.

6. The display of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spacers interposed between said anode and cathode.

7. The display of claim 6 , wherein said spacers comprise an insulator.

8. The display of claim 6 , wherein said spacers comprise a photoresist.

9. A field emission display comprising:

an anode comprising a matrix of pixels, wherein each pixel has associated therewith driver circuitry comprising first, second and third transistors, wherein:

the first transistor has gate and drain terminals coupled to a given voltage, and a source terminal coupled to a drain terminal of the second transistor;

the second transistor has a gate terminal for providing a column driver data signal and a source terminal coupled to another given voltage; and,

the third transistor has a gate terminal for providing row driver data signal and a drain terminal coupled to the source terminal of the first transistor and the drain terminal of the second transistor; and

a cathode comprising:

an insulating layer defining a plurality of wells having a conductor therein;

a first conductive layer forming a plurality of conductive pads, each of said conductive pads corresponding to one of said wells;

a plurality of structures electrically coupled to said conductive pads; and

a second conductive layer formed over said insulating layer and providing a plurality of gate electrodes;

wherein, when a potential between said conductive pads and gate electrodes exceeds a threshold voltage, said structures emit electrons that impinge said pixels.

10. A field emission display comprising:

an anode comprising a matrix of pixels; and,

a cathode comprising;

an insulating layer defining a plurality of wells having a conductor therein; a first conductive layer forming a plurality of conductive pads, each of said conductive pads corresponding to one of said wells;

a plurality of nanostructures electrically coupled to said conductive pads;

a second conductive layer formed over said insulating layer and providing a plurality of gate electrodes;

driver circuitry comprising:

a p-channel transistor having a source terminal coupled to a given voltage, a gate terminal coupled to another given voltage;

a first n-channel transistor having a drain terminal coupled to a drain terminal of the p-channel transistor, a gate terminal having a column driver data signal provided thereon, and a source terminal having a third given voltage provided thereon;

a second n-channel transistor having a drain terminal coupled to the drain terminal of the p-channel transistor and the drain terminal of first n-channel transistor, a gate terminal selectively provided with a horizontal blanking signal, and a substantially grounded source terminal.

11. A field emission display comprising:

an anode comprising a matrix of pixels; and,

a cathode comprising:

an insulating layer defining a plurality of wells having a conductor therein; a first conductive layer forming a plurality of conductive pads, each of said conductive pads corresponding to one of said wells;

a plurality of structures electrically coupled to said conductive pads;

a second conductive layer formed over said insulating layer and providing a plurality of gate electrodes;

driver circuitry comprising:

first and second n-channel transistors, the first n-channel transistor having gate and drain terminals coupled to a given voltage, and a source terminal coupled to a drain terminal of the second n-channel transistor; and, the second n-channel transistor has a gate terminal for providing a column driver data signal and a source terminal coupled to a given voltage; and

a third n-channel transistor having a drain terminal coupled to the source terminal of the first n-channel transistor and the drain terminal of the second n-channel transistor and the input to the pixel circuit stage; wherein a gate terminal of the third n-channel transistor is selectively provided with a horizontal blanking signal and a source terminal of the third n-channel transistor is substantially grounded;

wherein, when a potential between said conductive pads and gate electrodes exceeds a threshold voltage, said stuctures emit electrons that impinge said pixels.

12. A field emission display comprising:

an anode comprising a matrix of pixels; and,

a cathode comprising:

an insulating layer defining a plurality of wells having a conductor therein; a first conductive layer forming a plurality of conductive pads, each of said conductive pads corresponding to one of said wells;

a plurality of structures electrically coupled to said conductive pads;

a second conductive layer formed over said insulating layer and providing a plurality of gate electrodes;

driver circuitry comprising:

a p-channel transistor having a source terminal coupled to a given voltage, a gate terminal coupled to another given voltage;

a first n-channel transistor having a drain terminal coupled to a drain terminal of the p-channel transistor, a gate terminal having a column driver data signal provided thereon, and a source terminal having another given voltage provided thereon; a second n-channel transistor having a drain terminal coupled to the drain terminal of the p-channel transistor and the drain terminal of first n-channel transistor, a gate terminal selectively provided with a horizontal blanking signal, and a substantially grounded source terminal.